Stranger Things 3: The Game

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Stranger Things 3: The Game Image
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Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

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6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

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  • Summary: Developed and published by BonusXP in collaboration with Netflix, Stranger Things 3: The Game is the official companion game to Season 3 of the hit original series. This adventure game blends a distinctively retro 16-bit art style with modern gameplay mechanics to deliver nostalgic fun withDeveloped and published by BonusXP in collaboration with Netflix, Stranger Things 3: The Game is the official companion game to Season 3 of the hit original series. This adventure game blends a distinctively retro 16-bit art style with modern gameplay mechanics to deliver nostalgic fun with a fresh new twist. Fans will be able to experience their favorite show through a mix of exploration, puzzles, and combat.

    Just like in the show, teamwork is at the heart Stranger Things 3: The Game. Fans can team up in two player local co-op or in single player mode alongside an AI partner, in the role of one of twelve characters from the show, each with unique abilities and attributes. Together, they'll play through familiar events from the series while also uncovering never-before-seen Stranger Things secrets, ensuring a fun experience for those new to the world of Stranger Things and series super fans alike!

    Key Features:

    * Experience the show in a new way, exploring the eerie world of Hawkins to uncover new mysteries beyond what's seen in Season 3.
    * Jump right into the action of this pick-up-and-play adventure: simple gameplay mechanics allow fans of all skill levels to get in on the fun.
    * Take your game to the next level by trying out different character combinations and collecting all the secrets the expansive world of Hawkins has to offer.
    * Team up with a friend, leveraging drop-in/drop-out local co-op to take on the mysterious monsters of Hawkins together. While playing solo, use a collection of "buddy commands" to control both characters and still experience all the fun.
    * Choose from 12 playable characters, each with their own unique talents and stats.    … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. Pure Nintendo
    Jul 23, 2019
    80
    Overall, Stranger Things 3: The Game is a nice addition to the Nintendo Switch library of games, and fills the void of good, inexpensive beat- ‘em-up games that were previously missing on the platform. That being said, the game was designed with hardcore fans of the series in-mind, which will differentiate it’s value to some. As mentioned previously, it does emphasize a lot of fanfare, but its beat-‘em-up combat is some of the best on the Switch, making it a must-own for any beat-‘em-up fan.
  2. Jeuxvideo.com
    Jul 9, 2019
    70
    Even if its pretty straight-forward, Stranger Things 3: The Game is well-made and funny. It’s a well-balanced game focusing on the fans. The other ones may think it is repetitive and lacking strong characters.
  3. Wccftech
    Jul 9, 2019
    70
    Stranger Things 3: The Game is a decent throw-back to older titles and a strong tie-in to the current third season to the show. Being a game version of the third season, you need to have prior knowledge of the show, its events and characters otherwise it'll be lost on you. Beyond this, the game has a nostalgic feel with charming retro visuals and beat-em-up combat, combined with modern sensibilities like making the areas of Stranger Things explorable, with a decent amount of content thrown in to give the game a decent amount of gameplay value. The only major issue is that towards the end of the game there's too much repetition. Still, for the smaller price, it's more than worth it for fans of the series.
  4. Game Informer
    Jul 15, 2019
    60
    As someone who enjoys Stranger Things, walking around a pixelated version of Hawkins’ familiar locations with characters from the show is enjoyable. Outside of the sightseeing, however, the game does little else to garner excitement. The combat doesn’t ask much of the player and the mission structure underwhelms. If you want to experience the events of Stranger Things’ third season, you’re better off sticking to the source material.
  5. Worth Playing
    Dec 30, 2019
    60
    Stranger Things 3: The Game is a throwback to a time when the only audience the game is suited for are non-discerning fans of the series. Even then, there's not much here unless they're completely fine reliving the events of the season in a loose way. The gameplay is serviceable, but there's not much here to draw in people who just want a solid title or something to enhance their experience of the show. It isn't that bad if you can get it for cheap, but it isn't something to actively seek out, either.
  6. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 28, 2020
    55
    I wish BonusXP had the chance to utilize their talents with a different IP, because the whole approach here is flawed. [Issue #42 – October 2019, p. 19]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Digitally Downloaded
    Jul 9, 2019
    20
    I love that Netflix is investing in game development, because many of its properties could potentially use the medium to enhance the overall experience for fans. It needs to do better going forward though. Stranger Things 3: The Game is trash that does more harm to the property than good. It was almost quaint going on a memory trip back to when video games were used to churn out cheap bonus money grabs every time a major film landed, but the industry has moved on from that nonsense, and there's nothing about this game that is acceptable in this day and age.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. SoloStar645
    Jul 8, 2019
    9
    This game is a lot fun. It's a retro pixelated action RPG with a nice open world and puzzle elements. I really enjoyed playing through this game.
  2. Ghazman2019
    Jul 26, 2019
    8
    If you love Stranger Things then this game is just for you! I love how its just live every movie tie in game in the 80s were it will have theIf you love Stranger Things then this game is just for you! I love how its just live every movie tie in game in the 80s were it will have the movies name and then The Game after it and the fact that its 8-Bit is amazing!… Expand
  4. Rockerphobia
    Jul 4, 2019
    7
    It's one in the morning and just finished the series on Netflix and almost finished with the game as I have been playing it on an episode byIt's one in the morning and just finished the series on Netflix and almost finished with the game as I have been playing it on an episode by episode basis. But man, if you're a fan of stranger things, this isn't a bad purchase at all. The gameplay is fun if not a little wonkey at times due to the sensitivity of exiting the map, but the co-op gameplay has been a blast.for.me and my fiance. If you like the series, you'll most.lilely like this game as well… Expand
  5. Walhalla
    Jul 4, 2019
    6
    I havent seen any of the "stranger things" series. Is it some kind of series, right? And I dont like pixel art graphics. and I was expecting aI havent seen any of the "stranger things" series. Is it some kind of series, right? And I dont like pixel art graphics. and I was expecting a horrible game. But the game is not soooo horrible. Its not the best game I have played today... but... still, its a mix of RPG, Adventure, action, puzzler...
    I have played only 20 minutes yet. So far it seems you get tasks and must go and solve small puzzlers.. and kill some rats and enemies and you can change your heroes during gameplay. sometimes you can, sometimes you must to fulfill the quests. I will ask my daughter to play multiplayer with me. maybe it will be more fun? I will see.. right now its not bad, not good...
    https://youtu.be/-I9xBX16vnk
    6/10    … Expand
  6. CanuckEddie
    Jul 15, 2019
    5
    With the previous Stranger Things game, BonusXP blended a proven retro gaming formula - a little bit Zelda, a little bit Metroid - with theWith the previous Stranger Things game, BonusXP blended a proven retro gaming formula - a little bit Zelda, a little bit Metroid - with the plot of Season 2 and the outcome was a totally pleasant and comprehensively engaging distraction.

    With Season 3, however, the choice of "video game heritage" - a little bit Zombies Ate My Neighbors, a whole lot of generic crappy isometric 16 bit adventure game - is much less inspiring and engaging. The game is just ....much less fun...than last time, and the video game representations of key plot elements are prefunctory mimics of what happens on the show, with no clever inversions or twists, no inflections of how the blending of games and show plot could subvert expectations - just hey, look, its a low-fi version of the thing you just watched on TV!

    The decision to focus on a multiplayer core is severely neutered by having no online play. Sharing the mediocrity would be an improvement over slogging through it alone, but the size of the game demands too much for "couch co-op" to feel convenient or relevant. Rather than forcing my buddies to come over, we're going to all stay at home and play Stardew Valley online together instead. But this would only be a 6/10 with online multiplayer intact, so maybe its not a big issue?

    This game is just....fine. It's just fine. Nothing more than fine, which is a big let down coming off the previous delightful implementation of Season 2 which was so simple to play in short bursts, and naturally encouraged hitting 100% through its subtle delights. For Season 3, I am definitely left with regret that I bought it.    … Expand
  7. JumpCut_Online
    Oct 20, 2019
    5
    Viewed purely as a complimentary throwback to retro gaming and the show itself, the game is mildly entertaining and may actually be 100Viewed purely as a complimentary throwback to retro gaming and the show itself, the game is mildly entertaining and may actually be 100 percent more enjoyable if you’ve never seen an episode of Stranger Things. It’s compact nature is perfectly suited to the Switch or mobile platforms but perhaps not for consoles with your 4K flat-screen. Nobody needs to see a pixelated Scoops Ahoy that closely.… Expand
  8. MaddoxWhite
    Apr 24, 2021
    5
    How is this game worse than the actual season 3 of the show? That's saying a lot, mind you.

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